Cut to school, where Emma tells Laurel that things quickly went south from there. Upon hearing Alec's name, Theresa lost her confidence and told them to back off because pursuing Alec would be "too dangerous." Laurel can't believe any of it -- that Alec (who is their legal guardian in case of Ted and Kristin's deaths, by the way) could be a murderer or that bringing up any suspicions would be dangerous. Emma insists that Theresa told them to be "very, very careful" regarding Alec. They swing by Laurel's locker, where Baz has left a note asking if she got her "permission slip" for Coachella. Emma can't help but delight that Laurel, too, is keeping secrets. Laurel insists the note was a joke, but Emma calls her out for blushing. Laurel deflects the conversation back to Alec. Emma says she thinks she has "a way in" to the case against Alec.

Chamberlin home. Emma insists the frat kid isn't lying, but Rebeccannie thinks the kid lacks credibility (at best). She warns "Sutton" that accusing Alec could destroy his life. Emma notes that Ethan's life could be destroyed. Rebeccannie offers to help with Alec and promises (with a wicked smile) that everything will work out.

Emma heads to the courthouse, where Theresa reminds her and Thayer that implicating Alec for murder is a bad idea. Thayer says he's aware, then hands over a file holding Alec's cell phone records (including many calls to Derek) and a written description of what clothes the frat boy saw the suspect wearing -- they match what Alec wore that night. Theresa admits that, if she'd known what this case have involved, she wouldn't have taken it on. Emma snarks, "Maybe he needs a better lawyer, then?" Theresa: "There isn't one." Thayer insists they won't back down until Ethan's free. Speaking of, Theresa has a personal message from Ethan to "Sutton": He is counting down the minutes until he sees her again. Emma says it's unbearable. Theresa commiserates, confiding, "I used to call him 'Danny' back then. Trust me, you're not the first girl to fall under the Whitehorse spell." It really would be a sweet moment... if I weren't so grossed out by the mental image of Dan getting frisky with anyone -- anyone at all.